Carton



Sept. 8, 1959 G. E. STRUBLE CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24. 1958 FlG-I INVENTOR.

GLENN E. STRUBLE ATTO R N EYS Sept. 8, 195 9 a. El STRUBLE 2,903,177

CARTON Filed April 24, 1958 2 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENTOR.

GLENN E. STRUBLE ATTORNEYS ilited States Patent CARTON Glenn E. Strnble, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to Diamond Gardner Corporation, Middleton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application April 24, 1958, Serial N 0. 730,655

7 Claims. (Cl. 229-34) This application relates to cartons having lids, particularly to an improved arrangement for retaining the lid in its closed position.

The primary object of this invention is to provide lid retaining constructions for cartons having openable lids, including locking tabs which are formed from parts of end walls of the carton body, which are normally retained in line with the panels from which they are formed, and which may readily be moved to an operative position for engaging the lid and locking it in position covering the main body of the carton.

Another object of this invention is to provide a blank for forming a carton of the above mentioned type wherein the panels from which the locking tabs are formed are glued to flaps for retaining the walls of the carton body in upstanding relation with respect to its bottom, but wherein parts of the flaps arranged to underlie the locking tab structure are coated with a sealing material which prevents cohesion between the locking tab parts and such portions, thereby permitting the application of glue to the entire end panel surface and at the same time providing for movement of the locking tabs to a lid engaging position.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a blank wherein those portions of the end flaps adapted to underlie the lid locking tabs may be coated with a cohesion preventing sealing substance at the same time that the exterior surface of the carton blank is printed or otherwise finished.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming the main body of a carton in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view on an enlarged scale showing the blank of Fig. 1 in an intermediate step of its assembly;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a further step in the assembly of the end wall of the carton body;

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the relationship of the lid locking tab and associated parts looking from the interior of the carton body toward the end wall thereof;

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the release of the lid locking tab from its normal folded position shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the lid locking tab engaging the carton lid in locking position;

Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view of one end of the carton lid; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the completed carton with a lid secured in closed position by the locking tabs.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blank for form- "ice ing the carton body is shown in Fig. 1 as including a bottom 10 having side panels 11 and 12 connected to opposite sides thereof along fold lines 13 and 14 respectively. End panels 15 and 16 extend from opposite ends of bottom 10, being foldably connected thereto along hinge or score lines 17 and 13, respectively. Side flaps 20 and 21 are foldably connected to opposite ends of side panel 11 along fold lines 22 and 23, respectively, and in similar fashion end flaps 24 and 25 extend from opposite ends of side panel 12, connected thereto along fold lines 26 and 27.

Along the side of panelll opposite from the bottom there is an extension or reinforcing flap 30 foldably connected to panel 11 along line 31, and having short tabs 32 extending from opposite ends thereof. In a similar fashion a larger flap member 35 is connected to side panel 12 along fold line 36 and has short tabs 37 extending from opposite ends thereof. in addition, the flap 35 includes first and second handle strips 40 and 42 partially separated from each other by a slit 43. The intermediate handle strip 42 is separated along a major part of its length from flap 35 by a slit 45, but includes integral hinge connections 46 and 47 at its opposite ends to flap 35 providing for outward bowing of the handle strips from that flap.

The handle strips are dimensioned with respect to fold line 36 to underlie a plurality of flaps formed in side panel 12 by slits 513 and 52, defining a generally rectangular opening through which the handle strips may protrude to provide a carrying handle. This handle construction is of the general type disclosed in the copending application of Glenn E. Struble and Joseph Kramer, Serial No. 644,154, filed March 5, 1957, and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

End flaps 60 and 61 are connected to the edges of panels 15 and 16 along fold lines 62 and 63, and from these flaps and the adjacent portions of the end panels 15 and 16 are formed lid locking tabs. Since the structure is the same at both ends like reference numerals have been applied to like parts. Each locking tab includes a locking head 65 separated on opposite sides thereof from the associated end flap by slits 66 and also having a flexible end 68 foldably connected along line 69 to the locking head piece 65. Approximately at the opposite ends of fold line 69 the slits 66 are interrupted to provide frangible or separable connections 70 between the locking tabs and flaps 66 and 61, respectively. The slits 74 in end panels 15 and 16 define a narrower or neck portion 75 of each locking tab, and a short folding flap '78, defined by parallel fold lines and 82 (Fig. 2) provides an integral folding connection between the ends of the tab neck portions 75 and the associated end panels 15 and 16.

In assembling the carton, glue is applied to flaps 30 and 35, and also to handle strip 40, as shown by the stippled areas in Fig. 1, and these flaps are then folded over against their respective side panels as shown generally in Fig. 2. Next, the side flaps 2t), 21, 24 and 25 are folded inwardly across the ends of the carton as the side panels are brought into upstanding relation with respect to the bottom 10. This folding carries the tabs 32 and 37 inwardly around the corners of the carton.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that a portion 85 of end flap 21 is arranged to underlie the neck 75 of the adjacent locking tab, and from this portion there projects an extension tab 9i? connected along fold line 92 to the edge of flap 21, and including a generally V-shaped recess 93 at its outer edge. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that a further extension tab also projects from flap 20 in the same manner. These tabs 90 are of somewhat greater length than the head pieces 65 of the locking tabs,

and are positioned in this manner to underlie the locking tabs as the end flaps 60 and 61 are folded over the upper edges of the side flaps to engage and adhere to the inner side of these flaps, extending over the short corner .tabs 32 and 37.

Assuming that the blank of Fig. 1 is positioned with the surface to form the interior of the carton uppermost, then the opposite surface is the one which is printed ,or otherwise finished after the blanks are die cut. At the same time, a heavy overprint of varnish or other suitable sealing substance is applied to the tab 96 and the portion $5 of side fiap 21, as shown by the cross-hatched a ea in i 2. The s m oa i i appli d to a and its associated extension tab. This sealing substance prevents cohesion between the parts of the locking tabs and the underlying parts, namely the flap portion 85 and extension tab 95;}, since the glue applied .to the under surface of the locking tab along with the remainder of the end panels and end flaps, as indicated by the stippling in Figs. 1 and 2, will not permeate and adhere to the paperhoard material in the areas where the sealing substance has been applied. Therefore, when the end panels and end flaps are glued to the side flaps 21 and 25, as Shown in Figs. 3 and 4, although the locking tabs are car ried along with these partsby reasonof the frangible connectionslt), they are not adhered to the underlying parts. It is understood, of course, that the construction is the same inbo th ends ofth e carton, and that Figs 24 of the drawing are confined to a showing of one end of the car- ,ton for simplification, since the same construction and mode of'assembly is duplicated at the other end.

' It will be noted particularly frornFigs. 3 and 4 that the extension tabs 9?? are of somewhat greater width than the head pieces 65 of the locking tabs, and thus in the assemhled carton parts of the end flaps on opposite sides of the slits 66 extend over the edges of extension tabs 949, though of course they cannot adhere thereto for the above mentioned reasons. The recess 93 provides a finger hold for grasping the end 68 of the head piece 65 to pull outwardly thereon and break the connections 70, whereupon the entire locking tab may be folded away-from its normal position, shown in Fig. 5 about the folding flap 18 which provides a hinge connection to the end panel 16. The movement of the parts at this time is shown in.Fig..6.

The lid forthe carton is shown generally in Figs. 8 and 9 ,as including a top panel 100 having end panels 102 and side panels 103 secured in depending relation therefrom. Preferably these vlid side and end panels also include inner flaps such as the flap 104 which are glued to the inside surface thereof to provide reinforcement for the depending which is formed from the lid side and end pan els. 'The lid side panels areprovided with a slit 1 05 dimensioned to receive the locking head piece 65 of each of the locking tab structures. ,In the illustrated construction this slit is located along the fold line 106 between the top panel lfitland side panel 102, although obviously theslit could be provided at other locations in parts of the lid adjacent the locking tabs.

With the locking tabs folded outwardly as shown in Fig. 6, the lid is placed ove'r the upper edgeofthe carton inthe usual fashion, and the head piece 65 is inserted through slit 10510 provide a lock for retaining the lid on the carton as shown in Fig. 9. As willbenoted from Fig. 7, the connectingflap 80 provides for outward displacement of the neck portion 75 ofthe locking tab with reference to the plane of the end panel 16, so' that these parts may extend around the lid side panel 1M. and fiap 104. Thus, the lid is secured onthe carton body without need ofltiesfgummed tapes, or other retaining means, and the locking tabs may bewithdrawn and reinserted in the lid a number of times ifinecessary, providing for access to the contents of the carton and relocking of the lid without the use of additional material for retaining the lid thereon.

While the form of article herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of article, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A carton comprising a body having a bottom with side and end panels extending therefrom, flap means on opposite ends of said side panels adhered to said end panels retaining all'of said panels in upstanding relation with respect to said bottom, a locking tab formed from each of said end panels and having an integral hinge connection at one end thereof with the respective end panel, means normally retaining said locking tabs in line with their respective end'panels, said flap means underlying said locking tabs, a layer of sealing material between said tabs and said flap means preventing cohesion therebetween to provide for freeing said tabs for swinging movement about the respective hinge connections with said end panels, a lid for said body including a top panel and pan ecure in de en n r at therefrom to ,forma for telescoping engagement over the upper edge of said body, andslits in said lid in alignment with said Ldcking tabs to receive the ends thereof when said tabs are folded away from said end panels to extend about the exterior of said lid rim.

2 A blank for forming the body of a carton adapted for use with a separate lid, comprising a sheet of material scored and cut to define a bottom, side panels extending from opposite sides of said bottom, end panels extending jopposite ends of said bottom, side flaps extending from opposite ends of said side panels and positioned to be glued in underlying relationship, when the blank is tabs away from the associated end panels about said hinge connections, a layer of sealing material on those portions of said side flaps that will underlie said locking tabs in the retained position thereof, and means on said locking tabs engageable with a lid to retain the lid on sait h d 3. A blank for a carton adapted to be used with a separate lid, comprising a bottom, side panels extending fromopposite sides of said bottom, side flaps on opposite ends ofs'aid side panels, end panels fold'ably connected to opposite ends of said bottom, end flaps on said end panels extending from the edge thereof opposite from said bottom, said side flaps being foldable within said end panels and end flaps and positioned to be glued in underlying relationship, when the blank is erected, thereto to retain saidside and end panels in upstanding relation tos ai d-bottom, lid locking tabs formed from said end panels and including a head piece formed from the adjacent end flap, said taps having a hinge connection withthe associated end panel at the end thereof opposite from 'said head piece, a frangible connection between each of said head pieces and the associated end flap for n'orrrially ifetaining said tabs in line with the respective end panels andend flaps, and a layer of sealing material on portions of said side flaps that will be, when the blank is ,acfe qtcd, in face to face relation with said locking tabs andiheadsfor'preventing cohesion between said tabs and locking heads and the underlying parts of said side flaps to provide forfreeing said locking tabs to engage with a lid iupon'sep'aratio'n of said frangible connections.

' 4. A blank for a carton adapted to be used with a separate lid, comprising a bottom, side panels extending fiom opposite sides of said bottom, side flaps on opposite ends of said side panels, end panels foldably connected to opposite ends of said bottom, end flaps on said end panels extending from the edge thereof opposite from said bottom, said side flaps being foldable within said end panels and end flaps and being adapted for glueing thereto to retain said side and end panels in upstanding relation to said bottom, lid locking tabs formed from said end panels and including a head piece formed from the adjacent end flap, said tabs having a hinge connection with the associated end panel at the end thereof opposite from said head piece, a frangible connection between each of said head pieces and the associated end flap for normally retaining said tabs in line with the respective end panels and end flaps, an extension tab extending from one of said side flaps at each end of the blank and positioned to be placed in underlying relationship, when the blank is erected, with the locking head at that end of the blank, and a layer of sealing material applied to said extension tabs and to adjacent portions of said side flaps adapted to underlie said locking tabs and said head pieces in the assembled carton for preventing cohesion between said locking tabs and side flap portions to provide for freeing said locking tabs to engage with a lid upon separation of said frangible connections.

5. A blank for a carton adapted to be used with a separate lid, comprising a bottom, side panels extending from opposite sides of said bottom, side flaps on opposite ends of said side panels, end panels foldably connected to opposite ends of said bottom, end flaps on said end panels extending from the edge thereof opposite from said bottom, said side flaps being foldable Within said end panels and end flaps and being adapted for glueing thereto to retain said side and end panels in upstanding relation to said bottom, led locking tabs formed from each of said end panels and each including a head piece formed from the adjacent end flap, said tabs having a hinge connection with the associated end panel at the end thereof opposite from said head piece, a frangible connection between each of said head pieces and the associated end flap for normally retaining said tabs in line with the respective end panels and end flaps, an extension tab extending from one of said side flaps at each end of the blank for alignment with the locking head at that end of the blank, a layer of sealing material applied to said extension tabs and to adjacent portions of said side flaps adapted to underlie said locking tabs and said head pieces in the assembled carton for preventing cohesion between said locking tabs and side flap portions to provide for freeing said locking tabs to engage with a lid upon separation of said frangible connections, said extension tabs being of greater width than said head pieces providing for engagement of opposite sides of said extension tabs by parts of said end flaps on opposite sides of said head pieces to retain said extension tabs within the carton when said locking tabs are freed.

6. A carton comprising an upstanding wall, first flap means integrally hinged to the upper edge of said wall and folded downwardly inside said carton, second flap means between said Wall and first flap means and in area contact therewith and secured thereto by adhesive, a locking tab partially severed from said wall and integrally hinged thereto along a horizontal fold line, said locking tab extending upwardly from said fold line to the upper edge of said wall, a locking head piece in said first flap means integrally joined to said locking tab and having a frangible connection with said first fiap means, sealing material between said locking tab and locking head piece and those portions of said second flap means in registry therewith, and a lid having a de pending flange adapted to be positioned on said carton with said flange exteriorly of said wall, said lid having a slit therein to receive said locking head piece.

7. The carton of claim 6, and an extension tab integrally joined to the upper edge of said second flap means and extending downwardly between said second flap means and said first flap means, said extension tab being in registry with said locking head piece and being of greater width than said head piece.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,947,865 Marsh Feb. 20, 1934 2,304,362 Huye Dec. 8, 1942 2,764,336 White Sept. 25, 1956 

